'Mind-blowing' hack shows we've been poaching eggs wrong - no saucepan or boiling water

Abbie Meehan

6 May 2024 at 9:44 am·2-min read

Poached egg. — A single poached egg on artisan hand sliced toasted bread. The egg is split to reveal a runny yolk. White dinner plate, non-descript dark wood table and chair just about visible in the background. -Credit:Getty

A 'mind-blowing' hack has taken the internet by storm, showing that we've been poaching eggs all wrong - it's time to ditch the saucepan and boiling water.

Eggs are a breakfast staple with a plethora of cooking options, from fried to scrambled, boiled, or whipped up into an omelette. But when it comes to poached eggs, achieving that perfect balance of firm whites and a runny, golden yolk can be elusive.

The traditional method of poaching eggs in a pot of simmering water often leads to less than perfect results for many home cooks.

But now, a TikTok user has unveiled a game-changing technique for poaching eggs that has left foodies gobsmacked.

@danarebeccadesigns uploaded a clip demonstrating her mum's newfound poaching method, which she picked up from another TikTok user, reports the Daily Record.

In the video, her mum shares: "I recently learned how to poach an egg, and I thank whoever it was on TikTok. Break an egg into a small Pyrex bowl, add a little bit of water - just enough to cover the yolk - and put it in the microwave."

The exact timing for this innovative microwave approach can vary, usually falling between 36 to 45 seconds, depending on your microwave's power.

Once microwaved, she reveals the outcome: "Out comes the perfect poached egg."

She then employs a slotted spoon to gently place the egg onto a plate, cutting into it to reveal the impeccably soft and runny yolk.

While some users have reported eggs exploding in their microwaves when trying this method, there are tips to prevent this. Adding a pinch of salt to the water or poking the yolk with a toothpick can help.

Covering the top of the dish with clingfilm can also make cleaning easier. The majority of users were fans of this technique.

One user exclaimed: "Omg this is mind-blowing. I just tried it out and it worked. Thank you."

Another shared: "I tried this three weeks ago and the poached egg came out so much better than usual."

A third remarked: "It's amazing. We cook them this way all the time since seeing it last week on a different TikTok."

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